"Bangkok Dangerous" Leads a Slow Weekend

The fall box office got off to its shakiest start in years as the Nicolas Cage hitman actioner "Bangkok Dangerous" barely beat holdover comedy "Tropic Thunder."

The R-rated "Bangkok Dangerous" grossed an estimated $7.8 million as it bowed in 2,650 theaters. "Tropic Thunder," which has enjoyed notably strong legs, declined 35% in its fourth week to an estimated $7.5 million from 3,446 locations. Total for "Thunder" is now $96.8 million.

The first weekend after Labor Day is always sluggish, but this year the frame was affected by the start of the NFL football season and was particularly dreary. Total ticket sales at the domestic box office are estimated at $64 million-$66 million for the weekend, making it the softest in eight years. In 2000, ticket sales came in at $61.7 million. After that, 2003 was the worst, bringing in just north of $67 million.

"The Dark Knight" continued its amazing run, coming in at No. 4. In its eighth weekend, the film dipped a slim 34% to an estimated $5.7 million from 2,575 locations for a new total of $512.2 million.